Dear Friends,

Have you ever seen an amazing race?

I did last week, as 111 summer interns finished a cross-country contest to discover who could make it in the least amount of time from Prague to our training center at Malenovice. Normally it is just a 4-hour journey, but we purposely added a list of complicated challenges and obstacles they had to overcome. The winning team took over two days to complete the trip!

The amazing race is designed to test their problem solving skills, attitudes, and cooperation under pressure. Since each of these teams will be leading multiple evangelistic camps throughout the summer, proper preparation and training is essential. That is why the race is followed by four days of intensive teaching and focused coaching.

This is serious stuff because each team is also part of another race. Ninety percent of those who trust Christ do so before their 21st birthday. Our summer interns are racing to get the gospel to thousands of young people while they are still open and reachable. They are racing against secular values, empty consumerism, and an active enemy who is trying to win the energy and allegiance of the next generation.

I’m particularly excited about the fact that over 31 of these interns are from Central and Eastern Europe, and raised their own support to be part of this summer of ministry. On a personal note, it is a special treat that my son Caleb and his wife, Haley, are leading a team headed to Bulgaria.

But my biggest heart connection to the race comes from a desire to see many young people come to faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel our teams will share can take young people from darkness to light, from eternal judgment to forever joy, from objects of wrath to beloved children. This prize is priceless and imperishable.

Will you join the race by supporting these summer interns in your prayers? Pray for strength, boldness, and love for the lost.

Because this race truly is amazing,